BANNU: At least 15 police personnel were martyred on Saturday night after a suicide attack on the Fateh Khel police post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district.
The terrorists launched their attack on the post by ramming a vehicle laden with explosives.
According to Bannu Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan, a total of 18 police personnel were present at the post at the time of the attack, of whom 15 were martyred and three sustained injuries.
Police said that following the explosion, terrorists opened heavy fire and attacked the post from multiple directions. Multiple blasts were heard in the area, causing fear and panic among local residents.
“During the assault, the militants used quadcopters along with heavy weaponry,” a senior administrative official in Bannu told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Sources said that communication with the Fateh Khel police post was lost briefly after the attack.
The powerful blast completely destroyed the post. An armoured vehicle stationed at the post was also destroyed in the attack.
Nearby buildings also suffered severe damage from the blast’s intensity. Following the attack, an emergency was declared in local hospitals.
The Bannu police launched an operation, led by RPO Sajjad, after the attack, and the area was cordoned off by security forces.
Police also tightened security across the city and set up additional checkpoints. Local residents also came out in support of law enforcement personnel.
Rescue 1122 teams concluded the rescue operation at the site of the incident on Sunday morning.
“The rescue operation has been completed. Fifteen bodies and three injured were recovered from the debris,” said Rescue 1122.
Later, officials from the bomb disposal squad told Dawn that a loader rickshaw was used in the attack. They said the preliminary investigation suggested that around 1,000 to 1,500 kilogrammes of explosive material was kept in the rickshaw.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic incident”.
“These courageous sons of the soil sacrificed their lives while protecting the people of Pakistan and defending peace. Their bravery, commitment and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” he wrote on X.
Naqvi expressed his heartfelt condolences and prayers to the bereaved families, praying for the martyrs’ elevated ranks.
“Pakistan stands united against terrorism and such cowardly acts can never weaken our resolve,” the interior minister affirmed.
PM condemns attack, reaffirms resolve against terrorism
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday telephoned KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and strongly condemned the terrorist attack.
The premier expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in the attack and prayed for the elevation of ranks of the police personnel martyred. He also extended heartfelt condolences to their bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attack.
Reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism, he said that the centre would continue working closely with provincial governments to ensure the complete eradication of terrorism from the country.
“We will provide every possible assistance to the provincial government in the fight against terrorism,” PM Shehbaz said.
Both leaders paid tribute to the armed forces, security forces, and police personnel for their sacrifices and efforts in combating terrorism.
The prime minister reiterated that the government remained fully determined to eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the attack, a statement carried by state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.
He paid tribute to the police personnel martyred in a terrorist attack and prayed for their “eternal peace and elevation of the ranks”, the statement said, adding that the president also expressed sorrow over the damage caused to the homes of area residents in the incident.
President Zardari directed the provincial and federal governments to ensure all possible assistance for the injured and those affected by the attack, the statement said.
It quoted him as saying: “Nefarious designs of terrorist elements would be foiled and the nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its forces.”
He said that “at a time when Pakistan is striving for regional and global peace, terrorists backed by India are targeting Pakistan’s civilian population and law enforcement agencies from sanctuaries provided by the Taliban regime”.
The president expressed confidence that Pakistan would succeed in its efforts for global peace and defeat terrorists as well as their patrons.
“Pakistan will target not only the terrorists, but also their facilitators and sponsors,” he said.
Iranian envoy condemns Bannu attack
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam also condemned the terrorist attack on the Fateh Khel police post.
In a statement, he expressed condolences to the government and people of Pakistan, particularly the bereaved families, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Turkiye’s Embassy in Pakistan also condemned the attack in Bannu, vowing to “stand in full solidarity with Pakistan”.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation also condemned the attack and extended its “sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Pakistan and to the families of the victims”.
It said in a statement it “wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, and reaffirms its solidarity with Pakistan in the face of terrorism and violence”.
The British embassy in Pakistan posted on X that the UK also “strongly condemns” the terrorist attack.
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims and those who have been injured. The UK stands in solidarity with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism,” the post said.
The Saudi foreign ministry also issued a condemnation of the “treacherous terrorist attack”.
Bannu district has been the scene of repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security forces coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant violence.
Violence in Bannu has included attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by police and security forces in various localities to disrupt militant networks.
Additional input from AFP.
Dawn – Homenone@none.com (Muhammad Waseem Khan)Read More